“and the name of the city from that day shall be: THE LORD IS THERE” (Ezek. 48:35, NKJV)
Israel’s distinguishing characteristic was the presence of the God who delivered them. God would make His presence known through the ark of the covenant and later through the temple. In dedicating the newly constructed temple, Solomon declared it a place for God to dwell in forever (2 Chron. 6:2), at the same making this admission: “But will God indeed dwell with men on the earth? Behold, heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain You. How much less this temple which I have built!” (2 Chron. 6:18).
That is one reason why the destruction of the temple under Nebuchadnezzar was so devastating and why the prophecy of Ezekiel from exile was so promising. The prophet sets the stage with the departure of the glory of God because of the people’s covenant unfaithfulness (Ezek. 10), and the prophetic return of that glory (Ezek. 44).
Though the people’s sin abounded, God’s grace super-abounded. Though they were faithless, He remains faithful. He will ensure His presence. The bottom line of His redemptive purpose is expressed in the prophet’s last words: “THE LORD IS THERE” (Ezek. 48:35).
The book of Revelation renders the final and eternal disposition. “And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, ‘Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God’” (Rev. 21:3). All because of Jesus!
- Why is the presence of God so important to His people?
- How did Christ ensure our unbroken communion with God?
